The Mountains Sierra Nevada (Andalucia) The mountains in Granada are covered by snow a large part of the year and it is possible to ski here from November to the end of May. The rest of the year Sierra Nevada is a nature park with endless possibilities for walks. Mount Mulhacen is 3000 metre high. Standing on the top you get the feeling of standing at the moon.
The Palace in Granada (Andalucia) Alhambra, one of the most interesting and romantic of all the European monuments, dominates the city of Granada. The palace belonged to the sultan of the Spanish kingdom of the Moors. The Moorish culture and spirit is clearly reflected in the palace's style and architecture.
The River Guadalquivir (Andalucia) The river Guadalquivir runs slowly westward towards Seville through Andalucia. The many towns that have sprung up near the river are well worth a visit. You can also see the old bridge Puente de la Donadas, which is said to have taken 50 years to build. According to the legend the bridge was only finished because the villagers sold their jewellery to raise the money needed for the completion.
The City Palma de Mallorca (Balearic Islands) Palma is the main city at Mallorca and a good place to visit when you get tired of life at the beach. The city has a colourful vibrant centre with Gothic churches, broad boulevards, designer bars and small stores. Palma is a lovely place to shop and has a lot to offer. A beach lies only a few steps away from the centre when you get tired of shopping.
The Island Mallorca (Balearic Islands) Mallorca is much more than barbecue parties on the beach and noisy tourists. Off course, there is a lot of tourism in the summer but if you rent a car and drive up in the mountains you can get a fabulous nature experience away from all the tourists. There are a lot of small villages on the islands where the Spaniards live isolated from the mass tourism. Here you can see the real Spain and enjoy the fertile nature in Mallorca's landscape.
The Old Town DAlt Villa (Balearic Islands) D'Alt Villa at Ibiza is an old town with a citywall and narrow streets. The town has several cathedrals and museums to offer, among others Museu d'Art Contemporani. At Place de la Vila you will find a wealth of restaurants, galleries and shops. Behind the square you can go up and get a fabulous view of the town, the port and the coast
The Town Ciutadella (Balearic Islands) The town Ciutadella at Menorca has several interesting sights. The sights include among others the old part of town and the port, which is definitely worth exploring. In the middle of the idyllic main street, which is surrounded by palm trees, you will see a small obelisk build in the memory of those who died during the fight with the Turks in 1558. If you would like to go shopping you should go to Ses Voltes. In Ses Voltes you will find the entire city's glamorous shops and bars.
Camp Nou Stadium (Barcelona) FC Barcelona plays at Camp Nou. The stadium is quite impressive and has room for a crowd of 100.000. The club has a museum you can watch while visiting Camp Nou. The museum takes you through a tour of FC Barcelona's history and shows pictures of the many world famous stars that have played in the club.
The Building of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona (Barcelona) La Sagrada Familia in the middle of the elegant Catalan city Barcelona is a remarkable building. The church designed by the architect Antoni Gaudi is being built with strange moon like colours and shapes. This very day, years after Gaudi's death the building is still being build in his spirit. If you only want to do one day of sightseeing in Barcelona you must go to Sagrada Familia.
The Park Nöel (Barcelona) Parc Nöel is the park where the remarkable Gaudi unfolded his enormous artistic talent. The benches in the park look like they belong in a fairytale. They have twisting shapes, patterns and bright colours. Next to Gaudis architecture the park also gives you a chance to listening to music since it often has life music.
The Walking Street La Rambla (Barcelona) The Rambla is the main walking street of Barcelona and one of the most famous streets in the world. The Rambla stretches from the enormous Plaza de Andalusia down the Barcelona's impressive port. The trees at the Rambla give the street pleasant shades. The trees, restaurants and artists of all sort also gives the Rambla atmosphere you find nowhere else in the city.
The City Bilbao (Bilbo) The city Bilbao is the capital of the Basque country and a large industrial centre. This might not sound appealing but Bilbao is much more than just an industrial city. The city is the centre for many institutions of higher education and the many foreign students leave their mark on the festive nightlife. Further more the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao is a must-see if you are in the Basque Region. The Spanish counterpart to the Guggenheim Museum in New York is a remarkable piece of architecture.
The Harbour Santa Cruz (Canary Islands) Santa Cruz is one of the busiest harbours in Spain. The city lies at Tenerife and its port houses incredible amounts of containerships, big luxury ships, car ferries and catamarans. There is always something happening at the port. If the port bores you, you can visit the nearby Museo de la Naaraleze y El Hombre. Here you can see tons of mummies and skulls
The Island El Hierro (Canary Islands) El Hierro is heavenly far from tourists, bars and international restaurants. It is an untouched island with green scenery that seems more Irish than Spanish. There are good possibilities for walks at the island. You can look at the big vineyards and the sheepfolds in the green fields.
Parque Natural de las Lagunas de Ruidera (Castilla - La Mancha) Parque Natural is a lovely green oasis in the middle of Castilla-La Mancha region. Here you will find shadowy spots, small lakes, waterfalls and a rich birdlife. Many Castillians go to the park to relax. The park also has a hostel.
The Medieval Town Atienza (Castilla - La Mancha) The charming small medieval town Atienza lies north west of Sigüenza. Atienza is surrounded by a wall and is dominated by castle ruins. There are a lot of churches in Atienza and a small museum in one of them called Iglesia de San Gil.
The Pyrenees (Catalonia) The Pyrenees offers excellent trekking and walks in a magnificient scenery. Small villages in the mountains offer overnight accommodation so that you don't even have to carry a tent or camping gear on your walk. The best time of year to walk in the Pyrenees is from the end of June till early September. In the rest of the year snow can make it difficult to walk.
The Village Tossa de Mar (Catalonia) Tossa de Mar is a cosy white village with narrow streets. The city stretches alongside a curved coastline where there are good possibilities for trying water sports. Tossa was one of the first places at Coast Brava to attract tourists. The first tourists belonged to a small group of artists and writers who came to Tossa in the 1930's. Today the place is a favourable destination for charter tourists.
The Town Lleida (Lleida) One of Catalonia's historical towns Lleida is the starting point for many walks in the Pyrenees. Lleida's impressive cathedral is definitely worth a visit. From the 13.th to the 15th century this building was build in sand coloured stone. The dominant position of the cathedral in the city makes it appear as a monument over Lleida.
Museums in Madrid (Madrid) Madrid has an incredible amount of museums. Casón del Buen Retiro has an excellent collection of Spanish art from the 20th century. Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza has a private collection of paintings from Titian to Pollock. Try also Museo de la Escultura Abstracta, which has a beautiful collection of some of Spain's most famous artists among other Chillida and Miró.
Plaza de Toros Monumental (Madrid) Madrid has the oldest bullfighting arena in the world. Even if you don't like bullfighting you should pass the Plaza de Toros Monumental de las Ventas where the fights takes place. The arena is overwhelming. If you don't like watching the bull suffer or hearing the Spaniards cheer you can always imagine the bloody fights that goes on in this gigantic arena.
The Palace Palacio Real (Madrid) The Palacio Real has to be seen if you are in Madrid. At the walls and in the palace's ceiling you can see some fabulous decorations. The decorations are beautifully crafted and go beyond your wildest imaginations. In Palacio Real you will see what can happen when human imagination is let loose and allowed to operate without strings.
The Prado Museum in Madrid (Madrid) The most fabulous art exhibition in Spain and possibly in the world. Here you can find the most important pieces of Italian and Spanish art from the 15th to the 19th century. Among other things you will find an impressive collection of Diego Velázquez' works.
The City Malaga (Málaga) The largest coastal city in Andalucia Malaga is wonderfully untouched by mass tourism. You can visit the city's castle, which was build by the Moors. The most famous inhabitant of Malaga was Pablo Picasso and several galleries in the city display his work.
The City San Sebastian (Northern Spain) If you are travelling around Spain don't miss the beautiful city San Sebastián in the Basque region. The city is situated at an astonishing spot looking over the Atlantic Sea. The Basque nature has also created a beautiful green frame around the city. San Sebastián has lovely beaches and a hectic nightlife. However, be aware that San Sebastián lately has been tormented by the Basque terror organisation ETA's attack on its political opponents. It is therefore not totally safe to travel in the area.

Area and city attractions

Area:

• Andalucia
• Balearic Islands
• Canary Islands
• Castilla - La Mancha
• Catalonia
• Northern Spain

City:

• Barcelona
• Bilbo
• Lleida
• Madrid
• Málaga
• Seville
• Valencia